2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2026 Subaru Impreza
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical difference is the 4 MPG advantage held by the 2026 Subaru Impreza (29 combined MPG) over the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz (25 combined MPG). Furthermore, the Santa Cruz offers 39 more horsepower, generating 191 hp compared to the Impreza's 152 hp. Pricing shows the Impreza is more accessible, starting at $26,595 versus the Santa Cruz's $28,750 MSRP. The Santa Cruz is substantially larger, measuring 195.7 inches long compared to the Impreza's 176.2 inches. While the Impreza features standard All-Wheel Drive and better fuel economy (up to 33 highway MPG), the Santa Cruz compensates with greater torque at 181 lb-ft and a larger physical footprint, making performance and utility the central trade-off in this comparison.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Subaru Impreza
The 2026 Subaru Impreza wins for commuters due to its superior fuel efficiency, achieving 29 combined MPG versus the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is better suited for families due to its substantially larger exterior dimensions, measuring 195.7 inches long.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Enthusiasts will prefer the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz for its higher output of 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque.
2026 Subaru Impreza
The 2026 Subaru Impreza offers better baseline value with a lower MSRP of $26,595 and standard All-Wheel Drive.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...
- You require greater power, specifically the 191 hp generated by its 8-speed automatic transmission.
- Your usage profile demands a larger vehicle profile, evidenced by its 195.7-inch length and 75.0-inch width.
- You prefer the traditional feel and responsiveness of a shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.
Choose the Subaru Impreza if...
- Minimizing fuel stops is critical, given its 4 MPG advantage in combined efficiency (29 MPG vs 25 MPG).
- You need standard All-Wheel Drive capability combined with a lower starting price of $26,595.
- You prioritize smaller dimensions for urban navigation, as it is 19.5 inches shorter than the Santa Cruz.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Subaru Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 195.7" | 176.2" |
| Width | 75.0" | 70.1" |
| Height | 66.7" | 58.3" |
| Wheelbase | 118.3" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | — |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | flat 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm | 152 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 22/30 MPG | 27/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25 MPG | 29 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 389.4/531.0 mi. | 448.2/547.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 16.6 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 11.6 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | — | 4 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.8 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 42.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 56.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.5 in. | 55.1 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 38.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.5 in. | 36.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.1 in. | 55.3 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.5 in. | 53.2 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 245/60R18 | 225/40R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and 2026 Subaru Impreza.
How much larger is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz than the 2026 Subaru Impreza?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is notably larger in every dimension. It measures 195.7 inches in length compared to the Impreza's 176.2 inches, resulting in a 19.5-inch difference in overall length.
Which vehicle offers better drivetrain security for adverse weather?
The 2026 Subaru Impreza comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, whereas the base 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is configured with front-wheel drive.
Is the higher horsepower of the Santa Cruz immediately available on the base model?
Yes, the base 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz provides 191 horsepower, a significant increase over the Impreza's 152 horsepower, although it achieves slightly lower combined MPG at 25.
What is the trade-off between the starting MSRPs of these two vehicles?
The 2026 Subaru Impreza has a lower starting MSRP of $26,595, making it $2,155 cheaper than the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz's base price of $28,750.
Does the Subaru Impreza's Wagon body style offer comparable storage to the Santa Cruz?
The Impreza has a specified cargo capacity of 20.4 cu ft in its Wagon configuration. Specific cargo volume figures for the 2025 Santa Cruz were not provided for a direct comparison, though it features an open bed.
How do the transmissions affect driving dynamics?
The Santa Cruz utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, while the Impreza employs a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), which aligns with its fuel economy focus.
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